THE PROTOTYPE
WELCOME SCREEN AND MENU
I wanted to create the interface minimal from the design perspective. Any startup shouldn’t expect its clients to spend too much time to understand its app interface. In the case of startups, the app interface should be self-explanatory and very clear and specific.
The app greets the user by his name to create a psychological familiarity and then asks the very question for which this app has been created. Below this question, I have put a CTA button that proceeds the user to the request form.
The hamburger menu should, from an interaction perspective, display secondary things. Considering that, I have put what I considered more important for a new user in the bottom navigation menu. A good interface takes you where you wish to go, instead of asking you to find your way.
DELIVERY REQUESTS AND CONTACTS
This is where the user submits a pickup request. I have asked as few package details as possible. Initially, Sendit would be about small items and that’s why I have not asked package size details.
Although, I have asked pickup date and time, and delivery time, I think it would be much better if Sendit as a service provider wouldn’t ask for pickup and delivery details, and rather pick up and deliver every package on priority. Users will feel more comfortable with a smaller firm and a priority-based service.
This form is also accessible from the contacts page ‘People.’ It opens up pre-filled with the recipient section once the user selects a recipient.
NOTIFICATIONS
Another important thing to note here is that the ‘New Sendit’ form asks as to who will pay for the service. If the user clicks on the ‘Recipient’ option, and I’m presuming that the recipient is a registered user on Sendit, a request will be sent to the recipient to accept that he/she agrees to pay for it.
These requests will appear alongside other notifications on the alerts page.
SENDIT HISTORY
Users can view all the items they have sent or received on the ‘Your Sendits’ page. This screen also displays the status of the package with different status-assigned colors accordingly.
The Sendit details page lists all the details of a certain package.
USER PROFILE AND PICKUP PLACES
The user profile screen displays the username, gender, email, and phone. I have not asked the user’s age since it is not necessary unconditionally. I have asked the gender so that the customer service representatives know the users’ gender before they engage on a phone call.
Users can save addresses (places) in advance to avoid spending more time on the pickup request form. This feature is available on e-commerce sites and services apps like Zomato and Swiggy. It saves time and this is why I have added it.
TRACK ITEMS
Users can track their items in real-time on Sendit. I have added an expandable information block that displays the item’s transit details.
The screen also tells the expected delivery time. The ease of finding this screen with just a click from the main screen, and the details this screen brings to the user, make it extremely easy and insightful.
SETTINGS
At this point, I have added only the necessary settings to this page to keep it the app minimalistic and easy to use.
A POTENTIAL IDEA
Just like FedEx against Sendit, we had our regular messenger apps against Whatsapp. A startup’s success is also dependent on the way it addresses problems of its clients’, and how effectively it does what it claims to do. Sendit as an idea is more flexible, simpler, relatable and insightful.
With good marketing campaigns, and a strong carrier network this startup idea is a potential one.
